Song of the Day: Pomegranates – Skull Cakin’

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Each and every Friday we offer songs by local artists. Today’s selection, featured on the Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, is “Skull Cakin’” by Pomegranates from the 2010 album One of Us on Afternoon Records.

Pomegranates is a garagey art-punk band outta the Cincinnati, Ohio, area. Playing this song for the first time caused my wonderful beautiful lovely ladyfriend to exclaim, “This sounds like old Bryan Adams! Not in a bad way!” I figure that out to be more than enough to make you wanna listen, but let’s see what else I can tell you…

Jacob Merritt (drums) and Isaac Karns (vocals, guitars, keyboards)started the band s off as a two-piece late in 2006 quickly taking on Joey Cook (vocals, guitars and keyboards) nearly a year later. Pomegranates has released two albums worth of joyous pop compositions –- their first coming in 2008 in the form of Everything Is Alive followed up quickly with 2009’s ambitious concept album, Everybody Come Outside! (both on Lujo Records). With each successive album Pomegranates has grown their sound to the collective approval of critics the world over, leading to shared bills and tours with bands like Jimmy Eat World, Menomena and Spoon. With the arrival of the third Pomegranates LP, One of Us (their first on Afternoon Records) and today’s Song of the Day, “Skull Cakin’,” the band continues their meteoric rise to the top of the indie rock heap. With clear throwbacks to the 80’s (see sentence #2) the band strikes that pleasantly sweet balance between uniqueness and anthemic punk familiarity.

Don’t believe the dreamy hype? Check out Pomegranates this Thursday 11/11 at our very own Sunset Tavern in Ballard with Oh No Oh My… they’re well known for their lively live set antics. And the band will also be LIVE on KEXP on Thursday at 12PM. Check out their MySpace page for other dates and info.

If you want to see just how much more the guys rock now, compare today’s song to this video of “Who/Whom” from just a couple of years ago: